ST. PETER’S CHURCH.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 28, 12 April 1918, Page 3

ST. PETER’S CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS.

: The annual meeting of the Parishioners of St Peter 's Church of England was held in the Sunday-school room on Monday last, Bth April, at 8 p.m. There was a moderate attendance. The Rev. A. H. Heron, vicar, presided. An apology was received from Mr P. 0. Cowper (Minister's Warden) for unavoidable absence. After the minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed, the balance-sheet for the year was read and .adopted. After which the Sunday-school balance-sheet was read, also one in connection with the erection of the building. The Vicar then read his report of the past year's work, after which the election of officers was proceeded with and resulted as follows: Minister's Warden, Mr E. J. Roche; People's Warden, Mr" C. A'Court Opie; Vestry, Messrs W. Pickering, P. P. C. Cowper, A. E. Barrowelough, J. Buncombe, C. Smith, and Stuart Buckman. Auditor, Mr W. H. Smith. The balance-sheet showed that the total receipts for trie year amounted to £33(3 lis, and the expenditure £334 lis 4d, leaving a credit balance of £1 19s Bd. The receipts, however, include an overdraft at bank of £2O, which it was found necessary to create towards the latter end of the financial year. The Vicar, in the course of his re port, stated that in some of the outlying districts a growing interest in the services had been noticeable, especially in the three centres of the Rai Valley. There had been an increase in the number of baptisms during the year —a total of 36, five of which had been in Haveloek, and 31 throughout the country districts. There had been 5 marriages—three in Haveloek, and two in the country districts. In touching upon the work for the coming year, the Vicar said he would urge first the removal of all debt on the Sundayschool; secondly the raising of the sum (£3O) borrowed from the Trust Board to complete the purchase of the vicarage site. He would not ask for any effort towards a new building, for a debt on the site would, in his opinion, be a drag and not at all be a benefit to the parish. In conclusion he tendered his thanks to the churchwardens and out-going vestry; the-, organists and choir; to those who have ever been ready to decorate the church; to those who so constantly acted as a Sanctuary Guild in supplying and arranging the flowers on the super-altar; to the layreaders, who have at great inconvenience and expense helped to keep our churches topen; to the Sunday-school officers and teachers throughout* the district; to the officers and members of the Ladies' Guilds, for their cheerfulness and sterling help on all occasions; to the members of the Mite Society for their readiness at all times to hand over the small coins which makes it possible to spell success; to the many organists in the various centres; to the Press for the ready willingness at all times to give publicity to all our doings, and to the Pelorus Guardian in particular for the insertion of our services so constantly without charge; to all who have extended kindly hospitality to him in his work and travel; to Mr Barrowclo-ugh, for Ms constant ringing of the noon-day bell; and lastly to any who have helped in any way and whose special assistance may have been inadvertently omitted. After part of the meeting had passed, a pleasant social hour "was spent, during which refreshments were handed round by the ladies.

A man holding a child a rew months old in his arms, was an _ interested listener at the open-air meeting at Tau-. marunui in support of the War Loan on Saturday. At the conclusion of a forceful appeal for subscriptions Mr Kinniburgh, one of the speakers, started the ball rolling, by purchasing a war bond for the little one. The kindly spirit which prompted such practical generosity —at the same time assisting the War Loan—was much appreciated by the gathering.